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Phys.org / Record-breaking photonics approach traps light on a chip for millions of cycles

For years, scientists have dreamed of using atomically thin van der Waals (vdW) materials to build faster, more efficient photonic chips. These materials can be stacked and tuned with extraordinary precision, opening possibilities ...

Apr 13, 2026
Phys.org / Tiny particles in Arctic ponds may play role in cloud formation and climate change

Tiny particles bubbling up from the tops of melting sea ice into the Arctic sky may be a key, understudied element of cloud formation in that climate-sensitive region.

Apr 13, 2026
Tech Xplore / One tiny diode could shrink image sensors by adding memory and processing

P-n diodes are two-terminal devices that consist of two types of semiconductor materials (i.e., a p-type and an n-type material) joined together. These components allow electric current to only move in one direction, which ...

Apr 12, 2026
Phys.org / Astronomers find evidence for three subpopulations of merging black holes

Astronomers analyzing gravitational-wave data from the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA Collaboration have reported that merging binary black holes fall into three distinct categories. The study shows that the three subpopulations have their ...

Apr 11, 2026
Phys.org / Gold nanorod makes spinning light when struck off-center by an electron beam

Light, as we usually conceive of it, is defined by the astonishing velocity at which it moves from one point to another. For example, in just one second, light can travel most of the distance between Earth and the moon. This ...

Apr 13, 2026
Medical Xpress / Nerve growth factor alone triggers osteoarthritis-like joint changes in healthy mice

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a specialized protein, also called a neurotrophin, that is critical for the development and survival of nerves responsible for our senses and the body's fight-or-flight response. While the presence ...

Apr 12, 2026
Phys.org / Ancient Korean DNA reveals marriages between closely related individuals

DNA studies of 1,500-year-old skeletons have revealed that ancient Koreans lived in tightly knit family networks where marrying close relatives was common in some cases, from powerful elites to individuals chosen for human ...

Apr 12, 2026
Phys.org / Painkillers prevent pain responses in Norway lobsters, intensifying the case against boiling them alive

Common human painkillers also work on Norway lobsters, according to research from the University of Gothenburg. This is further evidence that crustaceans may feel pain and that more humane methods of killing them need to ...

Apr 13, 2026
Phys.org / Space telescopes track nearby quasar's dramatic X-ray state transition

By analyzing the data from various space observatories, Chinese astronomers have inspected a nearby quasar designated SDSS J000532.84+200717.4. Results of the new study, published April 1 on the arXiv preprint server, shed ...

Apr 12, 2026
Phys.org / Small talk surprises: Nine experiments show 'boring' topics feel more enjoyable

The small talk you try to avoid because you think it will be boring may actually be more enjoyable than you think, and good for you as well, according to research published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

Apr 13, 2026
Phys.org / Cacti fungal endophytes may help cacao tolerate drought

Beans of the cacao plant, Theobroma cacao, are used in chocolates, pharmaceuticals and other products, but they're under threat. Increased drought associated with climate change has already begun to stress cacao-growing regions ...

Apr 13, 2026
Tech Xplore / This robot sees danger, decides its route and powers over obstacles while carrying loads

A KAIST research team has developed quadrupedal robot technology that not only enables walking by estimating terrain without visual information, but also allows the robot to perceive its surroundings through cameras and LiDAR ...

Apr 13, 2026